Joshua and Jessica are both good singers but they sound the same week after week after week after week after week... Phillip is an average singer who sings songs I care nothing about. I can't see myself shelling out money for even one of their songs on iTunes, let alone buying a whole album/CD.

I've always enjoyed American Idol, but to me, this is the "Who Gives a Sh*t" final three.

Yep. I had high hopes when we started with the top 12 (oops - 13), but the show just never went anywhere. I'm guessing PP wins ( big guess, I know), and Joshua might go home tonight...

Well the expected happened. A person with virtually no vocal ability managed to displace a really fine singer for the AI finale. I think even Jimmy's ears must be playing tricks on him. Phillip's performance of Bob Seger's great song was terrible. Off tune most of the way ( but heh, what does it matter if you hit the notes as long as you have feelings according to ST). AI will have to formally come out and say that vocal ability is of secondary importance in the competition. Might as well have them all lip syncing. AI requirements: be human, be willy to share your soul with millions of people many of whom have had one too many, be willing to hop around a stage, be able to strum a guitar, can speak.

In any case at least there will be one excellent singer in the finale, despite the sages of this forum who perhaps should keep their eyes open for liquor sales.

Would have far preferred a Jessica vs Joshua finale, but c'est la vie.

Agree with the result but not your reasons. Joshua and Jessica are both great singers, but Phillip wins because history repeats itself. Remember the final three of Elliott Yamin, Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks?

History is still on course to be repeated. Elliott (Joshua) went home in the semi-final too.

Idol ratings have really improved, something about best rating for any show in the May sweeps.

Uhh, last year's final 3 show, also 2 hours and telecast on May 18, 2011, scored a 7.4 rating, compared to the 4.9 for this week's performance show. That is down 34%. The only thing that improved were its numbers over last week but I think that is the bump that normally happens for the final 3 show. Down 34% is a terrible number, even taking into consideration the overall drop for tv shows in the last year.

Hmmm... I am wondering if I should go looking for a crow to eat. Starting to think Jessica actually has a chance!

Who did you think was going to beat Jessica? It was a really weak group this year. Maybe Joshua was a little better than Jacob Lusk from last year. Jacob Lusk made the top 5. So top 3 seems about right for Joshua. This will be the third year in a row that a woman has made the top 2.

Uhh, last year's final 3 show, also 2 hours and telecast on May 18, 2011, scored a 7.4 rating, compared to the 4.9 for this week's performance show. That is down 34%. The only thing that improved were its numbers over last week but I think that is the bump that normally happens for the final 3 show. Down 34% is a terrible number, even taking into consideration the overall drop for tv shows in the last year.

'Idol' surges in penultimate performance show
Posts best rating for any show this May sweeps, a 4.8 in 18-49s
By Toni Fitzgerald, Media Life Magazine - May 17, 2012

Clearly the end of "American Idol" is near.

The show saw a big week-to-week bump in ratings for its penultimate performance episode, leading into next week's season finale.

"Idol" averaged a 4.8 in adults 18-49 from 8 to 10 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, up 9 percent from a 4.4 last week.

"Idol" became the highest-rated show so far during the May sweeps, which ends next Wednesday.

It peaked with a 5.3 in its final half hour at 9:30, and it seemed to take a bite out of ABC's competing lineup.

Idol's numbers have always been astounding. Now they're merely slightly better than the competition. They still win the nights they're on, but the amount of viewers they can claim watch the show when it comes time to wooing the advertiser dollars is significantly less. The show has become much less profitable.

Who will get the votes previously going to Joshua? Jessica? That's probably the only thing that might make a close race at this point. I don't get the attraction to PP, but our daughters love him.

Joshua's votes will probably go to Jessica. PP seems very likable and I really like his strumming. Given the right songs I don't think he can beat JS. It might be similar to the X-Factor but there you had 2 finalists who could sing. My family started out liking him ( not me) but then started really liking Joshua. Now there's no going back.

I guess I don't share Jimmy's love for that Bob Seger cover by Phillip. Far prefer any number of great country artists who have performed that song in a beautiful, melodic but melancholy way.

A Jessica vs Joshua finale would have, to me, been really special. Might still happen if Phillip is too sick, although I hope that report isn't true.

I still think there has been more talent this year, especially among the girls.